A few tech-free days in the outdoors can boost thinking a creativity, a new study of hikers suggests. / Getty Images/Brand X Pictures

by Kim Painter, Special for USA TODAY

by Kim Painter, Special for USA TODAY

Taking a hike: As many lunch-hour walkers know, even a half hour of fresh air can clear the mind. But head out in nature for several days -- leaving your cell phone and other devices behind -- and you may see a significant boost in brain power and creativity, new research suggests. The study followed 56 people on Outward Bound hikes in Alaska, Maine, Colorado and Washington and found those who took tests several days into the trips performed 50% better than those tested just before the trips. (Deseret News)

Chantix warning: The smoking-cessation drug varenicline (Chantix) may increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, but the increase seen in studies isn't statistically significant and has to be weighed against the drug's benefits, says an updated review by the Food and Drug Administration. Also important to note: smoking is a major cause of heart disease. (MedPage Today)

Cancer choices: People with advanced cancer who see a video showing how cardiopulmonary resuscitation is performed are less likely to say they'd want to be revived that way than those just told about CPR, a new study shows. Doctors say wider use of such videos may help more patients decide whether aggressive end-of-life care is right for them. (Reuters)

Today's talker: Remember Michael Phelps' 12,000-calorie-a-day Beijing Olympics diet? A lot of people were apparently still thinking about it during this summer's London games, making it the most-searched diet topic on Google this year, according to TIME. Also on the top-10 list: Lots of diet fads boosted by TV talk shows and the sad-but-true "feeding tube diet" marketed to brides by one Florida physician. Healthy eating? Maybe that will make the 2013 list...